Groundwater Chemistry and Contamination in the Volturno River Plain(Southern Italy)

Volturno River Plain groundwater presents different kinds f “natural contamination” such as high fluoride concentration (almost everywhere > 1.5 mg/l) related to volcanic formations and, in some sectors, high sulphates deriving from present and/or past hydrothermal conditions. By contrast, human activities are the cause of widespread NO3 contamination, with many wells showing very high nitrate concentrations. Close to the Volturno river lower nitrate content is related to reducing conditions. Low sulphate contents and high Fe and Mn contents corroborate the presence of a reducing zone. Groundwater decontamination systems are difficult, lengthy and expensive for such widespread contamination and therefore a pollution prevention policy is required to limit the sources of nitrogen supply. The “Nitrate Contamination Risk Map” can be used to identify different sectors and/or different sources in areas with high NO3 concentrations and to guide more effective decontamination intervention.